Salmon Scotland calls for urgent action after tariff shock
Scotland’s salmon industry is calling on the UK and Scottish governments to work together to help cushion the impact of the 10% trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Announced on Wednesday, the US tariffs took effect over the weekend. The US has imposed levies on imports across the board. While not subject to the even higher tariffs imposed on the European Union and countries such as China, the UK is facing the 10% tariff applying to all trade not covered by USA’s trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.
For the Scottish salmon industry the move is alarming, not least because its exports to the US totalled £225m in 2024, making that country the industry’s second most important overseas market.
In a letter addressed jointly to Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland in the UK Government and Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister in the Scottish Government, Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott sets out an agenda for urgent action.
For the Scottish Government, Salmon Scotland calls for urgent action to drive forward the planning reforms set out in the Griggs Report, which would provide a “one-stop” consenting process for new or expanded fish farms.
Scott points out: “Scotland still has four statutory consenting bodies – where with greater alignment they could act in a much clearer and pro-economic growth manner. We believe this would benefit the process, provide clarity for all parties and reduce the number of missed statutory deadlines (which has totalled 60 since 2020).”
The letter also calls for action to ensure Crown Estate Scotland’s income from salmon farm seabed leases “...recognises the impact of market change signified by the US administration’s tariff policy.”
Salmon Scotland is also calling on the UK Government to take action on a number of key areas:
- Extending the existing concession for offshore wellboat workers to provide support and clarity for business confidence while recruitment and training develops capacity. The shortage of crew, the industry says, applies both domestically and internationally and providing business certainty will allow the Scottish sector to retain vital services. For example, a five-year extension, as applied to the seasonal work visa scheme, would allow short term confidence and investment in continued operations as new crew are recruited and trained.
- Committing to the introduction of digital European Health Certificates (EHCs) for all salmon exports to the EU. This would assist in reducing time to marketplace, Salmon Scotland says, warning that in light of the 16% tariff imposed on Norway by USA, it is likely that there will be greater pressure on the European market with potential impact on Scotland.
- Continuing positive engagement with the European Union which, as the letter stresses remains the largest export market for Scottish salmon. Scott says: “The work towards a SPS [“sanitary and phytosanitary measures”] negotiation with the EU is welcome although shorter term opportunities are available which would benefit consumers in the EU through faster access if widely used packaging (which previously accessed the EU seamlessly when part of the trading bloc) was accepted on entry.”
The letter has been copied to the relevant portfolio ministers in both governments. So far Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that he is against retaliatory trade measures for now at least, and the UK Government appears hopeful that a trade agreement with the US remains a possibility.
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